Expansion valve with variable opening degree

Abstract

An expansion valve ( 4 ) for a vapour compression system ( 1 ), and a vapour compression system comprising such an expansion valve ( 4 ) are disclosed. The expansion valve ( 4 ) comprises a first valve member ( 7 ) and a second valve member ( 8 ). The first valve member ( 7 ) and the second valve member ( 8 ) are arranged movably relative to each other, and the relative position of the first valve member ( 7 ) and the second valve member ( 8 ) determines an opening degree of the expansion valve ( 4 ). The first valve member ( 7 ) and/or the second valve member ( 8 ) is/are automatically movable in response to changes in a differential pressure across the expansion valve ( 4 ), the opening degree of the expansion valve ( 4 ) thereby being automatically altered in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve ( 4 ). It is ensured that the opening degree of the expansion valve is automatically adjusted to the actual operating conditions, thereby optimising the efficiency of the vapour compression system. Furthermore, this is obtained in a simple manner, without requiring complicated control of the valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expansion valve for a vapour compression system, the expansion valve comprising:
 a first valve member;   a second valve member, the first valve member and the second valve member being arranged movably relative to each other between a first relative position defining a first opening degree at a first differential pressure and a second relative position defining a second opening degree at a second differential pressure; and   a biasing mechanism arranged to mechanically bias the first valve member and the second valve member in a direction away from each other;   wherein the relative position of the first valve member and the second valve member determines an opening degree of the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member and/or the second valve member is/are automatically movable in response to changes in a differential pressure across the expansion valve, the opening degree of the expansion valve thereby being automatically altered in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member is provided with a fluid passage corresponding to the first opening degree and the second valve member is provided with a fluid passage corresponding to the second opening degree;   wherein the second differential pressure is higher than the first differential pressure; and   wherein the first opening degree is larger than the second opening degree.   
     
     
         2 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , further comprising a guiding mechanism arranged for controlling the relative movements of the first valve member and the second valve member in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve. 
     
     
         3 . A vapour compression system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion valve according to  claim 1 , the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator being arranged along a refrigerant path. 
     
     
         4 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 3 , wherein the compressor is a two-step compressor. 
     
     
         5 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 3 , wherein the vapour compression system is a refrigeration system. 
     
     
         6 . The expansion valve according to  claim 1 , wherein the first relative position defines a mutual distance between the first valve member and the second valve member, and wherein the first valve member and the second valve member are arranged substantially in abutment with each other in the second relative position. 
     
     
         7 . An expansion valve for a vapour compression system, the expansion valve comprising:
 a first valve member;   a second valve member, the first valve member and the second valve member being arranged movably relative to each other between a first relative position defining a first opening degree at a first differential pressure and a second relative position defining a second opening degree at a second differential pressure; and   a biasing mechanism arranged to mechanically bias the first valve member and the second valve member in a direction away from each other;   wherein the relative position of the first valve member and the second valve member determines an opening degree of the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member and/or the second valve member is/are automatically movable in response to changes in a differential pressure across the expansion valve, the opening degree of the expansion valve thereby being automatically altered in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member is provided with a fluid passage corresponding to the first opening degree and the second valve member is provided with a fluid passage corresponding to the second opening degree;   wherein the first relative position defines a mutual distance between the first valve member and the second valve member; and   wherein the first valve member and the second valve member are arranged substantially in abutment with each other in the second relative position.   
     
     
         8 . The expansion valve according to  claim 7 , wherein the second differential pressure is higher than the first differential pressure. 
     
     
         9 . The expansion valve according to  claim 7 , further comprising a guiding mechanism arranged for controlling the relative movements of the first valve member and the second valve member in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve. 
     
     
         10 . A vapour compression system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion valve according to  claim 7 , the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator being arranged along a refrigerant path. 
     
     
         11 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 10 , wherein the compressor is a two-step compressor. 
     
     
         12 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 10 , wherein the vapour compression system is a refrigeration system. 
     
     
         13 . An expansion valve for a vapour compression system, the expansion valve comprising:
 a first valve member;   a second valve member, at least one of the first valve member or the second valve member being arranged movably relative to the other of the first valve member or the second valve; and   a biasing mechanism arranged to mechanically bias the first valve member and the second valve member in a direction away from each other, the first valve member and the second valve member, when biased in a direction away from each other by the mechanical biasing mechanism, allowing a reverse fluid flow to pass through the expansion valve;   wherein the relative position of the first valve member and the second valve member determines an opening degree of the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member and/or the second valve member is/are automatically movable in response to changes in differential pressure across the expansion valve, the opening degree of the expansion valve thereby being automatically altered in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve;   wherein the first valve member and/or the second valve member is/are movable between a first relative position defining a first opening degree at a first differential pressure and a second relative position defining a second opening degree at a second differential pressure, said second differential pressure being higher than the first differential pressure; and   wherein the first opening degree is larger than the second opening degree.   
     
     
         14 . The expansion valve according to  claim 13 , further comprising a guiding mechanism arranged for controlling the relative movements of the first valve member and the second valve member in response to changes in the differential pressure across the expansion valve. 
     
     
         15 . A vapour compression system comprising a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator and an expansion valve according to  claim 13 , the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve and the evaporator being arranged along a refrigerant path. 
     
     
         16 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 15 , further comprising a stopping member arranged in the refrigerant path upstream of the expansion valve. 
     
     
         17 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 16 , wherein one of the first valve member or second valve member is substantially in abutment with the stopping member when reverse flow passes through the expansion valve. 
     
     
         18 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 15 , wherein the compressor is a two-step compressor. 
     
     
         19 . The vapour compression system according to  claim 15 , wherein the vapour compression system is a refrigeration system. 
     
     
         20 . The expansion valve according to  claim 13 , wherein the first relative position defines a mutual distance between the first valve member and the second valve member, and wherein the first valve member and the second valve member are arranged substantially in abutment with each other in the second relative position.